Perioperative variable rate intravenous insulin infusion: a quality improvement project on a vascular surgery ward.

Aims: Variable rate intravenous insulin infusion (VRIII) is used perioperatively to maintain normoglycaemia in patients with diabetes who are undergoing surgery. The aims of this project were as follows: (1) to audit the extent to which perioperative prescribing of VRIII for diabetic vascular surgery inpatients at our hospital meets established standards and (2) to use the results of the audit to guide improvement in the quality and safety of prescribing practices and reduce VRIII overuse.

Methods: Vascular surgery inpatients who had perioperative VRIII were included in the audit.